It’s always a shift as we learn to care for ourselves through busy schedules and personal or professional commitments. However, whether it’s a break from the responsibilities of daily life or a small pick-me-up, self-care begins with tending to your needs and is an integral part of looking after yourself. While a vacation away, a decadent meal or a relaxing massage are all great ways (and often necessary indulgences) to give back to yourself, a key part of self-care is also to do something for your health. It is going a step further and getting insights on your body’s signals, tuning into its needs and attending to signs that may not be very obvious. And there’s plenty of help at hand…  be it digital alerts that remind you to drink water, wearables that push you to complete your steps for the day or meditation apps that help you relax, technology can enable you to take care of yourself in various ways.

Truly taking care of oneself is not just about addressing health issues, but about ensuring overall well being. Today, we have technological innovations by our side, that enable us to do all that and more. In fact, digital innovations are one of the self-care interventions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Here’s how health tech can be a great aid that empowers you to take charge of your self-care journey…

Getting to know yourself better

Whether it’s for a physical condition or an emotional state, care starts with identifying what exactly your needs are. When it comes to physical health and dealing with health issues, advancements in tech including biosensors like continuous glucose monitors and remote monitoring devices are helping us get in touch with our inner workings. Insertable and wearable medical devices provide personalized data and allow you to develop an intuitive understanding of your body’s internal landscape, making you more familiar with its patterns –  this, in turn, helps you make better, more informed decisions for your health. Developing an in-depth understanding of your body also helps you learn how to preempt what you may require and when.

Which leads us to…

Fulfilling needs while you take care of wants

What are some of your favorite self-care activities? Whether it’s ensuring that you make time for a small hike outdoors every weekend, or a monthly getaway to a farm-stay for a little escape from the confines and stresses of city life, we all have our ways to recharge, unwind and recoup. But these desires can get tough to manage when dealing with health conditions, like diabetes or heart issues, for instance.

However, tech is making it easier to manage and plan for. For example: CGM devices monitor glucose levels on the go and provide real-time updates that allow one to plan food and intensity of physical activity. Remote monitoring devices enable those with certain heart conditions to be monitored by their doctors, wherever they may be, and help them keep a check on their cardiac activity.

It’s all about dealing with your body’s needs in a way that allows you to enjoy life’s pleasures, peacefully and in a more informed manner, with the help you require…

Providing a support system

We’re often our most content selves, knowing we have a support system for help when times are tough. Just the option of assistance, if required, allows for immense peace of mind. With many health devices today keeping you connected with loved ones and healthcare professionals, alerting you if things veer off track, we can all breathe a little easier. Health tech has your back, as you set out to do better for yourself, in a multitude of ways.

WHO defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker.”

Self-care begins with getting to know yourself in a more in-depth way and tapping into your physical and emotional needs. It is all supported by one major factor, your health! Tech like wearable medical devices, CGM devices etc. empower you look after yourself and allow you to manage day-to-day health requirements better, while keeping you connected with your doctors too. While self-care looks different for everyone, it is an essential process to achieve all that you require to create a full and fulfilling life!

Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.